PPG and Lucid Motors Partner to Advance EV Coating Technology

PPG has announced a collaboration with electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors to develop distinctive exterior color effects for Lucid’s luxury EV lineup, leveraging PPG’s advanced ANDARO® pigment nanodispersion technology. This technology enhances color intensity, transparency, and clarity across the coatings.

The partnership has resulted in a range of exclusive colors for the Lucid Air sedan and Lucid Gravity SUV, most notably the signature garnet tone “Zenith Red,” unique to Lucid. The color system incorporates high concentrations of PPG ANDARO pigments in both the basecoat and tinted clearcoat layers, with black added to increase depth.

“Exterior color is critical in defining a luxury EV brand identity,” said Nicola Danks, Director of Color, Materials and Finishes (CMF) at Lucid Motors. “Our teams collaborated through a custom process inspired by space, energy, and time, utilizing novel pigments, tri-coat systems, and enhanced color shifts to achieve a refined and brand-aligned palette.”

“PPG ANDARO technology has been applied across various color spaces to increase clarity and chroma,” noted Mallory Prylinski, Technical Lead, PPG Color Core Team. “In metallic applications, it enhances ‘flip’ effects for more vivid color expression. Additionally, its integration improves the diffuse scattering performance of certain water-based technologies and conventional pigments.”

The Lucid Air color portfolio includes Stellar White, a clean, bright tri-coat featuring a silky mica layer; as well as Cosmos Silver and Quantum Grey, both fine metallics that utilize thinly milled pearl products for a subtle, refined effect.

The Lucid Gravity collection introduces high-flow liquid metallic finishes inspired by California’s diverse landscapes. These include Lunar Titanium, which incorporates fine yellow pearlescent for a warm, sunlit effect; Aurora Green, using multilayer thin-film flakes of magnesium fluoride and aluminum to create a diffractive rainbow appearance; and Supernova Bronze, which employs vacuum-metallized pigments for a rich bronze tone with a chrome-like finish.

“This collaboration exemplifies the integration of advanced pigment technologies with progressive design to redefine EV aesthetics,” said Prylinski. “Through PPG’s ANDARO technology, we’ve helped Lucid create an emotive and sophisticated color identity for its premium electric vehicles.”